FREE Pre-K Homeschool Curriculum Week 1, All About Me
Happy Tuesday! As you’re reading this, the fam and I are on our way upstate for an end of summer road trip! I mentioned why we are taking the trip here. And yes, I plan to fill you in on our little getaway when we return home.
Today’s post however is all about the theme, schedule and free resources I have used to plan week 1 of Sadie’s pre-k homeschool curriculum. With one year of pre-k under my belt, I feel like I have a better understanding of what to focus on.
I plan to create shorter focus time blocks, allow for more wiggle room, and I am emphasizing imaginative/pretend play as much as I can. We typically keep the first week back to school short. This allows some time for the girls to adjust to getting back into a more steady routine. So, you will find when I share our schedule below that the material for the first week is only meant to be for a three day week.
Pre-K Homeschool Week 1 Theme + Free Resources
The theme for this week is About Me. This theme allows Sadie to learn a little bit more about what makes her special. A great theme to start off the school year with if you ask me!
Here are some of the free resources I gathered from across the web to pull together our first week:
Math Activities for Preschoolers
Figure Me Out (Create Teach Share) – this activity requests your kiddos birthdate, shoe size, number of pets, etc. It can be used by the older elementary grades as shown in this post, or simply help your preschooler with number recognition.
Fingerprint Counting (Planning Playtime) – I love that this is easily duplicatable, and sensory driven.
Make 10 Birthday Cake + Candles – Simply grab play doh, muffin liners, and birthday candles. Then have your preschooler make mini birthday cakes (with the playdoh) and place the appropriate number of candles. Sadie and I focused on 0-5. I mixed up the numbers, had her make mini birthday cakes one by one then asked her to put the mini cakes in numerical order based on the number candles. She LOVED it!
Fine/Gross Motor Skills
Make a beaded necklace/bracelet (use ABC beads to spell out child’s name)
Bean Bag Number Toss (Hands on As We Grow) – reinforces number awareness for 1-5.
Name Collage – Use kraft paper, write child’s name (in LARGE print). Grab Elmer’s glue and some tissue paper (cut into small strips). Have preschooler trace letters in name with glue, then crumple up tissue paper and place over glue. Great for Arts + Crafts too!
Language Arts
Read: Mouse’s First Day of School (Lauren Thompson), The Pidgeon Has to Go To School (Mo Willems), and My Many Colored Days (Dr. Seuss)
Handwriting: Practice tracing/writing name, trace letters A-Z
Pre-K Homeschool Social Studies
Make an A.M. Routine Chart – discuss your daily morning routine, take pictures of your kiddo completing these tasks, and work together to create a simple routine chart. Review this chart throughout the week.
Preschool Interview (Crayon Freckles) – great to look back on at the end of the year, and start of next year to see how much your little one has grown!
Science/Sensory
Fish letters in name out of bin/Tupperware, we used ABC magnets. And have your preschooler spell out their name.
Create a scavenger hunt around the house or in your yard, and have your preschooler hunt for the letters in their name
Go on a nature walk
Build a house out of legos or blocks
All About Me (Fantastic Fun and Learning) – an interactive, and fun all about me activity for preschoolers!
Music
Sing-a-long for the week – Head, Shoulders, Knees + Toes, and If You’re Happy and You Know It
Pretend Play Idea
Family Picnic – this will help transition into next week’s theme!
Pre-K Home School Routine
Last year, it took a while for us to find a schedule that fit, and I share all about that struggle here. This year, we are taking a different approach. While our curriculum isn’t changing (for our oldest), our daily schedule will now follow a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling. And so far, I love how our days seem to flow, well just better.
Something that also helps it keeping a log of the activities you do each day. Now, this isn’t really necessary for pre-k but, as you move into Kindergarten, and definitely in first grade you should keep a log. Trust me, it will put your mind + heart at ease. Now that I keep a daily log, I am much more relaxed. Whereas last year I think I pushed the girls too much because I was afraid we weren’t covering enough.
It’s also important to keep in mind that kids have tons of opportunity to learn throughout the day. Whether it’s helping around the house, baking cookies together or making homemade play doh, or simply playing with their toys or other kids – they are learning. So, take it easy on yourself, and enjoy the whole experience. I for one am grateful that I get to spend the extra time with my girls here at home, it is a huge blessing!
